Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-06-13
GEN. SHERMAN,S LETTER.
He Would stand by xhe Side OF Presi.
dent Cleveland 1t So. Louis.
GRAND ARMY MEN sHOrLD RECEIVE THE PRESIDENT
WITH COURTESY AT THE NATIONAL rNcANPxENr.

Gen. John A. Noble and Col D. p Dyer, promi.
nent members Of the Grand Army OF the Republic
In st. Louis, received long letter Saturday from
cen. Sherman, In which he discusses at length the
recent muddle regarding the invitation OF Presi-
dent Cleveland to visit St Louis during the Grand
Army encampment next fall After saying that
the encampment and the Mississippi Valley fair
occur simultaneously, he says that while the Pres
ident, not being member, cannot participate in
any OF the proceedings OF the Grand Army, yet the
moment the Grand Army emerges from its hall Of
deliberation it becomes, like the Freemasons, Odd
Fellows and other societies Of good men associ-
ateo Tor noble purpose, part OF the general
community, subject to the laws and usages OF that
community. Gen. Sherman then continues:
"Mr cleveland, President OF the United States,
shisf LaaF Of sesc.lCn 1e OF al our people
Is free TO come and go wherever the jurisdiction
ofthis-our Government extends. Hemay
Visit any Tort OF ship, where the national flag will
be lowered to manifest respect to him and his Of
flee; and should foreign ship fail to do him full
honors none will be so quick to resent insult
the members Of the Grand Army OF the Republic,
who periled life and limb to make that flag re-
spected at home and abroad. The idea OF his being
fnSulted, much less endangered, should he be on
the stand alongside OF our commander n-chtef.
Gen. Fairchtld, when the Grand Army-is passing
In review, seems to me monstrous think know
the Iowa boys too well to believe such thing DOS.
s10le. Brave men are never ungenerOus, and the
Iowa soldiers were brave men. / know It OF
knowledge 9s acquired in nattle and WIN pledge my
act, and should Mr. Cleveland accept the invitation
which hope he will, to attend the parade OF the
Der 20 next viii stand BY his side or march past
In the ranks OF Ransom Post, as may be ordered
by Gen. Fairchild.
in certain pension bills enters into this unhappy
controversy. There were many private bills and
one of general nature which the President vetoed.
The constitution OF the United states cOmpels the
President to approve or veto each separate bill as
1t reaches him from Congress. II approved, it be-
comes law II vetoed, 1t requires an increased
can only account for his judgment BY his own con-
cept1On OF duty and to his God. We, as soldiers,
must submit to 1t because it is the law. do not
Deneve the Government can ever be too charitable
to the Old soldiers, wounded or in distress by age
and inflrmity, and had been near Mr.. Cleveland
I would not have ventured to advise him on the
general blll but as to the private cases 1 would
have said: Charity enters largely into PEN
sions and when any special bills have passed the
House, approve them; but the general bill exer-
else your full constitutional power Honest men
differ wild .ly on this question of pensions to our
old and feeble comrades. We all want to do what
is right, but differ as to the means AL we know
Is that twenty-0dd years after the civil war the
Government Of the United States under republi-
can and democratic rule pays out TO our soldiers OF
the Union Army about $50 600 600 per year, and q
few thousand to the Mexican War veterans, re-
gardless OF locality and not one cent to the rebels
The old soldiers OF the civil war have not yet just
cause to make an issue on question Of pensions
to our fnf1rm and wounded comrades.
81 advise you to go right along; prepare the way
for the Grand Army OF the Republic at its session
OF wednesday, September %, 1887. at st. Louis
and receive them as they deserve, as honored
guests; also the President OF the United States
with such other guests as may grace the occasion.
II any Of our comrades feel hurt at the associa.
ton they can remain at home. Instead Of
the Grand Army OF the Republic meeting only in
loyal states OF 1861 am in favor of their meeting
hereafter at Nashville, Chattanooga, Atlanta and
Richmond, following the example OF our armies In
the war for the Union"